The Houston Roundball Review Media Group covers sports
by: Kris Gardner. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Naismith, USBWA, WBHOF, and Wooden awards.

The Houston Roundball Review's
2010 NCAA Women's Final Four Coverage

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Sunday, April 4, 2010
Oklahoma Sooners guard Jasmine Hartman

Jasmine Hartman and the Oklahoma Sooners are back in the Final Four for the second straight season. However, this year's appearance will be different for the Bellaire (TX) High school product.

Why?

"I'm playing this year," Hartman said matter of factly."Last year, I sat out and paid attention to the game. We were very heartbroken (losing in the semifinals to Louisville by two points). We thought we would go far and, actually, make the national championship game. We let that slip from us. Now, we're taking it really serious. We're back again. We're here to win this game against Stanford."

In order to get on the court this season, Hartman said she spent the summer shooting the ball more.

"I expected people to sag off me more this year," Hartman added. "And, that's what they're doing now. I just pay attention to film a lot more this year and take it seriously that I'm going to have to play."

Hartman admitted her defense needed to improve as well.

"My defensive game has gotten a lot better," Jas said. "In high school, I didn't have to play defense because you're all about offense. Here, it's about defense and playing hard."

This year's Sooners squad is different than last year's team which was dominated All-Everything Courtney and Ashley Paris.

"We're quicker this year. We ran a lot more. We do a lot more fastbreaking. We run a lot more plays for transition. The motion plays are different this year."

Hartman's game has also improved this season thanks to learning from teammate Danielle Robinson. Robinson is Oklahoma's star point guard; and, Robinson was named a 2010 State Farm All-American. Therefore, with Robinson as a teammate, Hartman has learned quite a bit.

"Working with D-Rob, she's amazing," Hartman acknowledged. "I try to go against her in practice a lot because coach (OU head coach Sherri Coale) said that would be the difference maker this year for me to against the best player which would help my defensive game. She's helped me a lot."

Lastly, Jasmine discussed how her time playing at Bellaire High School helped prepare her for major college basketball.

"It's helped me a lot. Our school is highly recruited. Coach (Mike) Kramer is a great coach. He's helped me transition to this level. It was awesome."